Re: [Frameworks] abstraction and politics
While they probably wouldn't normally be considered political, some Stan Brakhage films are short, abstract works that can be seen, at least in part, as meditations on certain cultural histories. For examples: Unconscious London Strata, In Consideration of Pompeii, b Series (containing Retrospect: The Passover, Blue Black Introspection, Blood Drama, I Am Afraid: And This Is My Fear, and Sorrowing), Three Homerics, The Egyptian Series, Persian Series and Chinese Series. . . . And of course, 23rd Psalm Branch, perhaps his most political film, does have significant abstract passages. Marilyn Brakhage On 6-Oct-13, at 7:59 PM, Kelly Sears wrote: Dear frameworkers, I would love to pick your collective brain about some film/videos that use abstraction to address political, social, or cultural histories. I would double love it if anyone had any suggestions of writings on this topic as well. I'm interested in learning more about how this visual strategy and lack of the figurative or representational could be used in a political/critical way. Many thank yous. Kelly ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] abstraction and politics
Kelly, This is an interesting question, and it demands a complicated answer. First, I think it's important to note that abstraction is not an absolute but that there's a large gray area between abstraction and representation. I'd argue that many if not most experimental films inhabit that gray area. I'd say these films tend toward abstraction but I wouldn't simply say they are abstract. So a videotape like Jackie Goss's There There Square plays with forms of abstraction (in the morphing, sometimes roughly drawn outlines of states and the U.S.) and her intro and outro sequences are fully abstract (colored squares that float around in relationship to one another). There There Square is also (obviously?) political, in the way it wants to think about cartography and our imagination of boundaries. But then there are fully abstract works, like some of Brakhage's hand-painted films. There is certainly a politics to the making of abstract works--a refusal of normative visual codes, a challenge to the viewer to reimagine her or his relationship to cinema, etc. And these politics are surely different in different historical moments, depending on what the aims of that abstract gesture are (refusal of Hollywood's codes, a representation of closed-eye vision, etc.) But since you've used a very specific language (films/videos that use abstraction TO ADDRESS political, social, or cultural histories), I assume you mean a more direct and specific engagement with specific political issues. In that case, I think we'd have to be in the realm of films that tend toward abstraction rather than the fully abstract. Many found footage films do this kind of work (abstracting from a representational original)--Chris Harris's Reckless Eyeballing comes immediately to mind, but there are dozens and dozens more in this mode. And then there are films that are shot or processed using techniques that abstract the image (shooting through glass, shooting reflections, hand-processing, pushing film to increase grain, using macrophotography to isolate textures, etc.). Lawrence Brose's De Profundis, especially important at this moment due to his current legal travails, uses a number of these techniques to abstract both found and original footage, but again, that's just one example of hundreds. Hope this helps as a starting point for what's potentially a very big conversation. (For those with long histories on Frameworks, I know we've been on this merry-go-round before. I don't propose to rekindle the fires of those old flame wars, so hopefully it'll be possible to lay this out without having to choose sides.) ... Roger On Oct 6, 2013, at 10:59 PM, Kelly Sears wrote: Dear frameworkers, I would love to pick your collective brain about some film/videos that use abstraction to address political, social, or cultural histories. I would double love it if anyone had any suggestions of writings on this topic as well. I'm interested in learning more about how this visual strategy and lack of the figurative or representational could be used in a political/critical way. Many thank yous. Kelly ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] abstraction and politics
Of course, Brakhage, and of course, 23rd Psalm Branch. I have also argued, for example in my liner notes for the Criterion DVD, that his work as a whole constitutes an argument against our object-oriented, commodified, static, consumerist culture. This to me is arguably a profounder statement than a film that takes a particular position on a particular issue of the day. In his remarks at the premiere of The Text of Light, published in several sources, he talks about opposing the typical American view of landscape as real estate, something to be divided up and bought and sold. Fred Camper Camper Quoting marilyn brakhage v...@shaw.ca: While they probably wouldn't normally be considered political, some Stan Brakhage films are short, abstract works that can be seen, at least in part, as meditations on certain cultural histories. For examples: Unconscious London Strata, In Consideration of Pompeii, b Series (containing Retrospect: The Passover, Blue Black Introspection, Blood Drama, I Am Afraid: And This Is My Fear, and Sorrowing), Three Homerics, The Egyptian Series, Persian Series and Chinese Series. . . . And of course, 23rd Psalm Branch, perhaps his most political film, does have significant abstract passages. Marilyn Brakhage On 6-Oct-13, at 7:59 PM, Kelly Sears wrote: Dear frameworkers, I would love to pick your collective brain about some film/videos that use abstraction to address political, social, or cultural histories. I would double love it if anyone had any suggestions of writings on this topic as well. I'm interested in learning more about how this visual strategy and lack of the figurative or representational could be used in a political/critical way. Many thank yous. Kelly ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
[Frameworks] Seeking Camera Recommendation
I'm looking to purchase my first (!) video camera and am certain I *do not* want a DSLR. I'd like to spend between $2K and $4K. I don't make films/documentaries that are 'traditional' in their style, ie: talking head, onscreen interviews, industrial, etc. My primary desire is for a camera in which the strongest qualities are the basics; lens, sensor, build quality. While I might shoot the occasional interview for hire on the side, I'm looking for exceptional image in a camera that's light enough to toss in a wearable camera bag or carry on a plane, and sturdy enough to take a bit of punishment. In short, I'm looking for an advanced pro-sumer camera. Let the suggestions commence!Kenwww.maddancementalhealthfilmtrilogy.comwww.kenpaulrosenthal.com ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] Seeking Camera Recommendation
I'm looking to purchase my first (!) video camera and am certain I *do not* want a DSLR. I'd like to spend between $2K and $4K. The kids seem to be alright…. http://www.digitalbolex.com/guest-post-kurt-lancaster/ -Rob- Robert Houllahan Film Maker www.lunarfilms.com http://www.vimeo.com/lunarfilms http://robhoullahan.tumblr.com/ ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
[Frameworks] Johan Grimonprez Contact?
Hello Everyone, Does anybody have Johan Grimonprez's email address? There's one on his website, but I wasn't sure if that was the best way to contact him Thanks, -LJ -- ljfre...@gmail.com / 904.762.8300 ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
[Frameworks] b/w prints new york
metropolis send their stuff out to technicolour though, don't they? moiratierney.net vimeo.com/moiratierney From: Pip Chodorov framewo...@re-voir.com To: Experimental Film Discussion List frameworks@jonasmekasfilms.com Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 12:02 PM Subject: Re: [Frameworks] price increase on all Kodak B/W film Re: [Frameworks] price increase on all Kodak B/W film I can recommend Metropolis on West 30th street. Tel: 212-563-9388 At 11:57 -0400 25/09/13, Jim Jennings wrote: CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND A LAB IN NYC THAT CAN MAKE B@W PRINT FROM AN ORGINAL NEGATIVE ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] b/w prints new york
There are no labs in NYC that do BW wet work in house. Your choices would be Colorlab, Cinefilm in Boston, and Cinema Arts in PA. Sadly there's no more Alpha Cine. If you want high quality scanning of your BW negative in NYC, Kinetta Archival is there (disclaimer -- I am one of the people running it). Jeff Kreines Kinetta On Oct 7, 2013, at 10:59 AM, ev petrol epetr...@yahoo.com wrote: metropolis send their stuff out to technicolour though, don't they? moiratierney.net vimeo.com/moiratierney From: Pip Chodorov framewo...@re-voir.com To: Experimental Film Discussion List frameworks@jonasmekasfilms.com Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 12:02 PM Subject: Re: [Frameworks] price increase on all Kodak B/W film I can recommend Metropolis on West 30th street. Tel: 212-563-9388 At 11:57 -0400 25/09/13, Jim Jennings wrote: CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND A LAB IN NYC THAT CAN MAKE B@W PRINT FROM AN ORGINAL NEGATIVE ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks Jeff Kreines Kinetta j...@kinetta.com kinetta.com kinettaarchival.com ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] 35mm hand crank projector
Thanks Scott I will look into those while in Boston! Best, Phil Film | Photography | Cinematography | Performance | Visuals www.philippe-leonard.com On Sun, Oct 6, 2013 at 1:54 PM, Scott Dorsey klu...@panix.com wrote: I don't know what you're looking for specifically, but Cinelab is in Boston and does BW processing, and Boston Light and Sound rents various 35mm projection hardware. I don't know if they have anything hand-cranked other than a Kodascope in the glass case in the lobby but they, like Cinelab, are run by good people who love film. --scott ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] 35mm hand crank projector
Hi Ed! Although this seems like a really neat piece to start a project, I need something by the 20th in Boston and I can't pick up anywhere else. If you have any leads in the Boston area let me know, it would be greatly appreciated! Best, Phil Film | Photography | Cinematography | Performance | Visuals www.philippe-leonard.com On Sun, Oct 6, 2013 at 3:57 PM, Ed Inman edin...@earthlink.net wrote: Here's a Super Simplex projector head for sale that still has the handle shaft installed. http://www.msusurplusstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=6780 If you look at the video you will see a photo the handle shaft directly under the glass window painted Super Simplex at the 50-second mark. Assuming the projector head is serviceable, you would just have to mount it on a stand with a lamphouse, attach a handle to the shaft start turning. You can probably remove the RCA soundhead and run the take-up reel from a belt directly off the picture head if you are projecting silent (which would probably make it easier to crank). I'm not sure I'd want to pay $650 for equipment this old untested but they might make a deal. I have a 1936 Super Simplex that still runs like a top. Just before you buy one make sure it still has the handle shaft--many were removed (or perhaps never installed) as most were motorized by the 1930s. And finding a spare handle shaft may be far more difficult than finding a whole projector head with one already installed. --Ed -Original Message- From: Philippe Leonard ** Sent: Oct 6, 2013 10:16 AM To: Experimental Film Discussion List ** Subject: [Frameworks] 35mm hand crank projector Dear omniscient listserv, I will be doing a workshop in Boston (from Oct 9-22) and make a film that will (ideally) requires a hand cranked 35mm projector for the final screening scheduled for the 22nd at the Goethe Institute. Any leads on film resources, darkroom, lab, film enthusiasts and such would be greatly appreciated as I'm always looking forward to meet fellow filmmakers. I am currently attending Views and if some of you holding answers to my questions are here too let me know, we could meet up today! Looking forward to hear from you, Phil ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
[Frameworks] Brand New Website
At your leisure, please check out my swell new website: www.maddancementalhealthfilmtrilogy.com Ken www.kenpaulrosenthal.com ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
